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How to Connect to Pelco IP Camera in C# .NET

Video Capture SDK .Net Media Blocks SDK .Net

Brand Overview

Pelco (now part of Motorola Solutions) is a leading manufacturer of professional video surveillance equipment, headquartered in Fresno, California. Pelco is particularly strong in enterprise, government, and critical infrastructure markets. The brand is known for its Sarix fixed camera line and Spectra PTZ camera line. Motorola Solutions acquired Pelco in 2020.

Key facts:

  • Product lines: Sarix (Professional/Enhanced/Value fixed cameras), Spectra (Professional PTZ), IX (fixed box), IMP/IME (mini dome), D-series (dome PTZ)
  • Protocol support: RTSP, ONVIF (Profile S/G/T), HTTP/CGI, Pelco D/P serial protocol
  • Default RTSP port: 554
  • Default credentials: admin / admin (must be changed on first login for current models)
  • ONVIF support: Yes (all current Sarix and Spectra models)
  • Video codecs: H.264, H.265 (Sarix Professional), MJPEG

Double slash in RTSP URLs

Pelco cameras consistently use a double forward slash before the stream path: rtsp://IP:554//stream1. This is intentional and required for most Pelco models.

RTSP URL Patterns

Current Models (Sarix Professional/Enhanced/Value)

Stream RTSP URL Notes
Main stream rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Full resolution (note double slash)
Sub stream rtsp://IP:554//stream2 Lower resolution
Low-res stream rtsp://IP:554/LowResolutionVideo Lowest quality
Channel stream rtsp://IP:554/stream1 Single slash (some models)
Numbered channel rtsp://IP:554/1/stream1 Channel-specific

Model-Specific URLs

Model Series RTSP URL Type Notes
Sarix Pro (IMP/IME) rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Fixed dome Current generation
Sarix Enhanced (IX) rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Fixed box Mid-range
Sarix Value rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Fixed Entry-level
IX10 rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Fixed box Professional
IX30C / IX30DN rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Fixed box Day/night
IXDN30 rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Fixed box Day/night
IXE10LW rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Fixed dome Wireless
IXE20DN rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Fixed dome Day/night
IXP31 rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Fixed dome Professional
IMP519 rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Mini dome 5MP
IMP1110-1 / IMP1110-1E rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Mini dome Sarix Pro
IM10C10 rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Multi-sensor Sarix IMM
IM10DN10-1E rtsp://IP:554//stream1 Multi-sensor Day/night
D5230-ADFRZ28 rtsp://IP:554//stream1 PTZ dome Spectra
Spectra IV rtsp://IP:554//stream1 PTZ dome Legacy PTZ
Spectra Professional rtsp://IP:554//stream1 PTZ dome Current PTZ

Multi-Channel / Multi-Sensor

For multi-channel Pelco devices:

Stream RTSP URL Notes
Channel 1, main rtsp://IP:554/1/stream1 First sensor/channel
Channel 2, main rtsp://IP:554/2/stream1 Second sensor/channel
Channel stream (alt) rtsp://IP:554/stream1 Single channel (some models)

Legacy Models

Model URL Notes
IP110 / IP-110 http://IP/api/jpegControl.php?frameRate=10 JPEG stream
Spectra IV (HTTP) http://IP/jpeg JPEG snapshot
Spectra IV (pull) http://IP/jpeg/pull Continuous JPEG
Spectra IV (API) http://IP/api/jpegControl.php?frameRate=10 Frame-rate JPEG

Connecting with VisioForge SDK

Use your Pelco camera's RTSP URL with any of the three SDK approaches shown in the Quick Start Guide:

// Pelco Sarix camera, main stream
var uri = new Uri("rtsp://192.168.1.85:554//stream1");
var username = "admin";
var password = "YourPassword";

For sub-stream access, use //stream2 instead. For multi-sensor cameras, use /1/stream1 for channel selection.

Snapshot and MJPEG URLs

Type URL Pattern Notes
JPEG Snapshot http://IP/jpeg Most current models
JPEG (channel) http://IP/jpeg?id=1 Channel-specific
JPEG (API) http://IP/api/jpegControl.php?frameRate=10 Legacy models
JPEG (tmpfs) http://IP/tmpfs/auto.jpg Auto-capture
Image file http://IP/img.jpg Simple snapshot

Troubleshooting

Double slash is required

Most Pelco cameras require a double forward slash before the stream path:

  • Correct: rtsp://IP:554//stream1
  • May not work: rtsp://IP:554/stream1

If a single-slash URL fails, always try the double-slash variant first.

Channel numbering for multi-sensor

Pelco multi-sensor cameras (IM10-series, Sarix IMM) use numbered channel paths:

  • rtsp://IP:554/1/stream1 — first sensor
  • rtsp://IP:554/2/stream1 — second sensor

Single-sensor cameras should use //stream1 without a channel number.

Pelco D/P protocol vs RTSP

Pelco is also known for the Pelco D and Pelco P serial communication protocols used to control PTZ cameras. These are serial protocols for PTZ control, not video streaming. Video streaming always uses RTSP or HTTP regardless of which PTZ control protocol is used.

Spectra PTZ cameras

Pelco Spectra PTZ cameras use the same RTSP URL format (//stream1) as fixed cameras. PTZ control is handled separately via ONVIF PTZ commands or Pelco D/P serial protocol, not through the RTSP URL.

FAQ

What is the default RTSP URL for Pelco cameras?

For most Pelco cameras, use rtsp://admin:password@CAMERA_IP:554//stream1 (note the double slash). For the sub-stream, use //stream2. Multi-sensor models use /1/stream1 for channel-specific access.

Is Pelco still an independent company?

No. Pelco was acquired by Motorola Solutions in 2020. Current Pelco cameras are manufactured and supported by Motorola Solutions. The Pelco brand and product lines (Sarix, Spectra) continue under Motorola Solutions' video security portfolio.

Do Pelco cameras support ONVIF?

Yes. All current Pelco Sarix and Spectra cameras support ONVIF Profile S, G, and T. ONVIF is the recommended discovery and configuration method for new Pelco integrations.

What is the difference between Pelco D and RTSP?

Pelco D (and Pelco P) are serial protocols for PTZ camera control (pan, tilt, zoom commands). RTSP is the video streaming protocol. You use RTSP for video and Pelco D/ONVIF for PTZ control — they serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.